Ship crosses Northwest Passage

TORONTO — A Danish-owned coal-laden cargo ship has sailed through the Northwest Passage for the first time and into the history books as the second bulk carrier to navigate the Arctic route.

The Nordic Orion left Vancouver, British Columbia, Sept. 17 carrying 15,000 tons of coal. Ed Coll, CEO of Bulk Partners, an operational partner of ship-owner Nordic Bulk Carriers, said Friday that the freighter has passed through Greenland. He says it is expected to dock in Finland next week after traversing waters once impermeable with thick ice.

Interest in the Northwest Passage is on the rise as climate change is melting Arctic sea ice, creating open waterways.

The SS Manhattan struggled to be the first to cross the Northwest Passage in 1969. Melting ice has made Nordic Orion’s journey more feasible.